The Seventh Element

Chapter Sixteen

Despite my protestations, the Nox proceeded throw me a birthday bash. My birthday was on a school day so we had to settle for having the party after the school day was over. This was better anyway, given the party was going to be held outside due to the many guests coming. I was skeptical of the whole thing. I was the outcast of the school; no one was showing up for me.

So, imagine my surprise when I saw the area in front of the Nox dorm filled with students. Food and games were spread out. The students were all talking and laughing, seeming to have a good time.

"Did the whole school show up?" I asked.

"No, this is only about half," Varina explained.

"And the other half isn't worth bothering about," Vera said.

"Do they know it's a party for me?" I checked.

Valto laughed. "Yes, Tor, they know it's for you."

I shook my head, still doubtful but not willing to push the issue. I had never been around so many people at once, especially those that claimed to be there specifically for me. I thought they all hated me. They certainly hadn't given me any reason to believe differently. It was more than a little overwhelming.

I briefly debated whether to skip the whole thing and go straight to the dorm. My rumbling stomach decided for me. I was almost always hungry, especially after I'd been using my powers. Besides, I knew it would disappoint Vic and the other Nox. They had worked hard to do this for me.

The least I could do was stay.

I joined the food line, impressed with the sheer amount and variety of food offered. When had the Nox done all this? There was an assortment of meats, vegetables, noodles, potatoes, dumplings and salad (but not a fish in sight!). Then there were the desserts: cake, pastry, pudding and ice cream. I helped myself to a little bit of everything and found the nearest seat.

I found myself seated between Vana and Alan, one of the fourth-year Aria boys. Most of the students were familiar to me. Though, I didn't engage in conversation. I occupied myself with eating, allowing the table chatter to wash over me.

"Happy birthday, Tor," Alan told me with a smile.

It had been a couple weeks since I'd last been to the Aria class and, as expected, they followed the lead of the Lux. When they weren't under the Lux's critical eye, they were free to be friendly.

I had just shoveled a forkful of beef noodles into my mouth so I could only nod in acknowledgement that I'd heard him.

Thankfully, Vana came to my rescue. "So, Alan, any idea what you'll be doing for the year end presentation?"

Alan shook his head. "Blake and I are still figuring it out. We want to do something for Ash and Bennett since they're fins, you know? But then everybody else wants to get involved if its something like that which complicates things."

The Ignis fourth-year who's name I didn't know butted in. "Yes, I know the feeling exactly. Group projects are so annoying. Everyone has different skill-levels and you have to figure out who does what and when. Then you have to practice and make sure everyone can work together so it all looks good. Ugh!" He made a sound of disgust. "That's why I'm glad to be working alone this year."

"I like working with my fellow Nox. Its fun and I've been learning so much!" Vakari put in from across the table.

The Ignis fourth-year gave her a withering look. "You would. You Nox are always holding hands and hugging."

"And what's wrong with that?" Vana asked defensively.

The Ignis boy looked down his nose at Vana though they were near the same height. "Its all well and good but it certainly doesn't prepare you to be independent."

"Independence may be more important to nomadic Tok Tok but for Dharkor, community has far more value," Vic said from the Ignis boy's other side.

"There is value to both. Independence is good because it teaches you that you are capable while community reminds you that no matter how alone you feel, you always have a place to belong," the Aqua fourth-year boy sitting next to Vakari said.

This didn't surprise me. Aqua were ever the peacemakers due to the fact that they never picked sides.

The Ignis boy glared at the Aqua boy who gazed levelly back. The Ignis boy snorted and looked away, dropping the subject.

"What is the year end presentation?" I asked.

"Every year the Academy has a presentation for each element. You can present individually, by year, by element or however you want, really. It's a celebration of the end of the year to see how far each of us has come during the course of the school year," Alan explained.

"It's an opportunity to showcase the best of what our element can do," the Ignis boy added.

A second-year Ignis girl across the table spoke up. "It was a lot of fun last year!"

I wasn't so sure. While I was actively working on using my element, I was far from proficient. I'd already learned what happened when I had an audience. I dreaded the thought of performing in front of the whole school.

The rest of the party passed as the Nox coaxed me into playing games. I'd never played these games but they were easy enough to play. To my surprise, the other students treated me as their peer, for once. For the first time, I felt like one of them rather than an outsider. Of course, the feeling couldn't last forever and the party eventually came to an end.

As I settled into bed, Vic bounced on my bed. "Did you have a good birthday, Tor?"

I heaved a sigh and nodded, unable to meet his gaze.

I could feel his gaze on me. "What's wrong?"

I dragged my eyes up to look at my friend. "I'm worried about the end of year presentation."

"Ah, yeah it can be overwhelming for any nova, even for those of us that share an element. I can't imagine what it must be like for you. We can talk to Val. You can either join Nox in our presentation or maybe present to Val privately. What I do know for sure is that there is no pressure to do some big, giant performance, especially from Val. Don't worry, Tor. The end of the school year is still months away. We'll figure it out."